Bent on pursuing heaven

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

WE should not be surprised if Christ used what we may consider as harsh words to make us follow him. With all our weaknesses and limitations, there is no way but for him to use these strong words to keep us on the right track and not to get lost in our earthly journey toward heaven, our ultimate goal.

This was expressed, for example, in that gospel episode where he told the crowd: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (Lk 14,26)

These words simply mean that we need to have a certain detachment from persons and things to be able to give our heart entirely to God, and with him, we actually have everything we need. As St. Teresa of Avila put it graphically, with God we have enough—“solo Dios basta.”

So, the detachment our Lord is asking of us actually does not mean that we hate our life, our parents and others, and the things of this world. Rather it is a detachment that asks of us to have rectitude of intention, that everything that we do be for the glory of God.

St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians said as much: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God.” (10,31)

We should not be afraid to detach ourselves from persons and things because such detachment is proper to us. It’s a prerequisite to be able to follow Christ closely, as we all should.

To be sure, such detachment does not compromise our proper attachment to the same persons and things. Rather it would enhance our relation with them, since it would be a relation that reflects God’s love for everyone and everything. Such detachment would facilitate our pursuit for the ultimate goal meant for us—to be with God in heaven.

For this end, we also need to make effective plans and strategies. This was also expressed in that gospel episode when Christ talked about a person who would make plans to build a tower. (cfr. Lk 14,28)

Making plans and strategies may require some time and effort, but it’s an investment that is all worth it. The little time and effort required can actually multiply our time and make our efforts more productive at the end of the day. It’s like the little rudder that St. James talked about in his letter. (cfr. 3,4) Our plans and strategies can have the power to accomplish great things, like a rudder giving direction to a big boat.

In these complicated times of ours with so many issues, problems and challenges spewing out, the need for plans and strategies have become more indispensable so that we can study them better and know exactly what to do with them. The way things are now, these issues, problems and challenges really need to be studied well, making due consultations when necessary.

What can help in this regard is to cultivate the practice of making daily examinations of conscience so we can make a review of what happened during the day and come up with the appropriate plan and strategies for the following day.

Since these examinations of conscience are usually done at the end of the day when we most likely would already be tired and exhausted, we really would need to motivate ourselves to give due attention to this practice. That little investment of effort and sacrifice will surely give back a tremendous return.

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com